The Rocks Begin to Speak

By LaVan Martineau

Book Overview

Unlocks the secrets of petroglyphs and pictographs, and opens the door to an understanding of prehistoric man.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0916122301
• ISBN13: 9780916122300
• Release Date: June 1976
• Publisher: K. T. Publishers
• Length: 210 Pages
• Weight: 1.87 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Decoding and understanding the rock arts

This is a wonderful book useful for decoding and understanding Native American rock art. As the ancient Chinese saying states: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” In this text LaVan Martineau explains rock art symbols from the basic to the complex, from America to the world. In these panels of depictions readers see the wisdom of their authors and may compair and contrast the: large/small, far/near, enemy/friend, human/animal, life/death, day/night, strength/weakness, ancient/modern, superior/inferior, back/forth and truth/falsehood. On p.116, it is interesting to see that Hopi were the chosen people that they should leave their picture writing and clan symbols upon the rocks near their ruins as a sign that the Hopis were here first and were rightfully holding this entire continent in trust for the Creator. And, on p.152 the reader will find a chart comparing the petroglyph picture words with Chinese scripts. In my other readings, and personal visit with the Navajo, I found that there are many Native American words, sounds, and meanings that are shared with the Chinese. In a remote area of the American Mid-west of Jeffers Petroglyphs, in their ceremony , The Dakota people offer this prayer with upraised arms they call “yuwintapi"- – in Chinese meaning peace from Emperor Yu of China This book by Martineau helps readers to both understand the history of Native Americans and be motivated to explore more. The panels depicted within it are really the ancient relics. Amazingly, the rock art discussed here more provides us with a more accurate history than that of the White man's record. This book is a good guide to enjoy.

The Rocks Begin to Speak

This work stands as a break-through in the interpretation of petroglyphs and pictographs of the Native Americans. LeVan Martineau is to be commended for finding so many keys that have aided those of us who have always wondered. I would recommend this book to anyone who finds these designs or writing interesting. I would challenge the scientific community to approach this research with the same objectivity and fairness afforded any investigation. This method of interpretation has great validity due to its ethnic connections. Greg Whitman, Ph.D. Co-Director - Southwest Coast Archaeological and Historical Research Association.

Native American Pteroglyphs are frequently history lessons

This was actually the second time I purchased this book, the first was over 20 years ago during a trip through the Southwest US. The author makes the point that believing all native American rock images are art is selling these people short. I believe him. He makes claims that some is actually a non-alphabetic very sophisicated method of writing and not just "hunting symbols" or "primitive art". Some is, much is not. He backs up these statements with numerous examples and the science of cryptography. He does not claim to understand it all, I found a quote on a website where he estimates he is about 80% correct. The petroglyphs that give information are based on the sign language that all tribes understood to some degree so the messages are independent of any specific language. Pteroglyphs can be art, they can show the way to water or a trail or they can tell a story. The whole thing is fascinating to me. Last month we stopped at the National Park Service's Petroglyph National Park in Albuquerque, NM. I was disappointed to see not a single publication that credited these works as anything other than art. It appears we are still too arrogant to admit sophistication exists in places other than our own cultures. What a shame that unless someone picks up this work (the author recently passed away) some unique perspectives of history will be lost.

Excellent

I live in one of the area's where these beautiful rocks are and it was wonderful to be able to read about the writtings and what they meant. I am "hooked" on Petroglyphs.

Excellent book on Native American written communication!

Anyone who is facinated with Native American cultures and history MUST read this book. It gives a simple but plausible explanation for the rock art found throughout most of America. Clearly, the First Americans were not the "ignorant savages" as the Europeans thought. I recently visited some petroglyph panels in Nevada and having read this book, it gave a new meaning to the stories I saw, as opposed to the park ranger's "hunting party" explanations. Also, I would recommend that anyone serious about understanding rock writings should also study Native American sign languages.

Deciphering rock glyphs

Glyphs carved on rock have been one of the greatest mysteries known to archeologists. Mr. Maritneau believes he knows what they are all about. Mr. Maritneau is a Native American who is skilled in the sign language used by the various groups of Native Americans to communicate with each other when the spoken word failed them. To the uninitiated it is full of obtuse gestures and hand forms, but to the adept, it is clear as words. Mr. Martineau shows, through a multitude of examples, that most rock glyphs are representations of the hand signs used between people. He makes a case for the glyphs as "signs" to somepne looking for something (like a water source) or as directions or warning signals to others, or as simple stories. The book is well organized and easy to follow. It takes the reader through all areas of the USA, Canada and many other parts of the world. The premise is very convincing, but I have not seen much else from professional archeologists to compare it to. Most simply say the glyphs are a mystery!